What Does an Airsoft Gun Shoot?

Ofttimes kids come home and inform their parents they NEED an airsoft gun, and most parents then ask, "What is an airsoft gun and why exercise you need i?"

1. Airsoft Is Older Than Paintball.

A niggling history, airsoft was invented before paintball dorsum in the '80s. Tokyo Mauri in Nihon created the first airsoft gun, about eight years before paintball was invented. The early guns were powered by a compressed air cylinder which was connected to the gun by a hose. They were used for target shooting and playing state of war games in the forest. It became popular in Nippon along with paintball. Years subsequently Tokyo Mauri came out with a M16 replica gun that ran on a battery they called it an AEG (automatic electric gun), and airsoft took off worldwide.

G36C AEG, Sniper Rifle, Shotgun, M4 Commando AEG — G36C AEG, Sniper Burglarize, Shotgun, M4 Commando AEG

Larry Grenevitch

2. These Are Low Velocity Not-Lethal Guns.

Airsoft guns were created to be low velocity not-lethal guns. This is accomplished by using a 6mm or 8mm plastic BB that is very light (.12 to .45 grams), fired at low velocities 170 to 550fps (feet per second). In Japan, the fps limit is 300fps with a .20 gram BB for all guns. Kids large and small-scale have e'er wanted to play soldier, and these guns give them an opportunity to do that with the right protective gear. They should non exist confused with Daisy BB guns sold in the The states for years which at close range are lethal.

iii. Exist Aware of Safety Concerns.

There are safety concerns that parents need to exist aware of. Children need to play with full vesture, long sleeve shirts, pants, and gloves. BBs will merely leave a red spot through clothes, but on bare skin it can cause a blood blister and can drain, if hit at close enough range with a loftier enough velocity gun. This is one reason airsoft fields in the U.s. and around the world have a 10 to 20ft minimum engagement altitude and any gun shooting .20 gram Bbs at more than 400fps must observe a 100ft minimum engagement altitude. This may audio bad or scary to some, but in reality it is a minor consequence, and you discover adults (18-22 year olds) on the field all the time in shorts and brusque sleeve t-shirts. Notwithstanding, this is also why I personally do not allow my children to play in the lawn, unless there will be an adult supervising.

The greatest danger in airsoft is being shot in the eye with a BB. That is why all fields indoor and outdoor require full seal goggles designed for paintball or airsoft. Even if your child is only doing target shooting, he and anyone in the area should at a minimum take shooting glasses on. This is because the low velocity plastic Bulletin board system bounce off hard objects, wood, rock, etc. I have personally shot at a wood lath 60 feet away and had the Bbs bounce back and hit me on the head. The danger to the eyes cannot be overemphasized, and this needs to exist communicated to your child, and your child needs to fully empathize this before he touches any airsoft gun!

four. Responsibleness and Gun Safety Are Critical.

Since there is an element of danger with these guns, this was an excellent way to teach responsibility and gun safety. I have personally found with three of my children that my imposing strict gun safety rules with them has helped them to be prophylactic, mature, and come across that they need to be careful fifty-fifty when playing a "game" that is "safe." In fact, they are now actually more careful than I am which is comforting, and yes, I did have to ban them occasionally.

Gun rubber rules:

Always wear eyewear when shooting.
E'er signal the gun in a safety direction.
Never expect downwards the barrel.
Ever have the gun on safe (safetied) until you are well-nigh to shoot.
Never put your finger on the trigger until you are aiming at the target and are ready to shoot.
Always care for the gun as if it is loaded.
Always treat your airsoft gun similar a real gun.

If you follow these rules, yous tin be safe and accept a lot of skilful clean fun.

five. Airsoft Guns Bear Resemblance to Real Guns.

Similar whatsoever gun owner, airsoft players enjoy the pleasance of owning a respected gun, whether that is a M16, SCAR, AK47, MP5, G36, etc. Adding rails, handles, barrels, zero-signal triggers, etc. All the things that you tin practise with a existent guns are too the rage for airsoft guns. This is what has made the sport so popular. Heckler & Koch makes the guns used by special forces units around the world and some of the nearly reliable guns in the world; the airsoft replicas perform up to that reputation and are very popular.

There are many countries that ban their people from owning existent guns, Japan and England to proper noun just two, so airsoft guns with their close resemblance to the real steel guns is the closest people in these countries can get to owning a real gun.

6. Airsoft Guns Can Be Fun: Target Shooting, Outdoor Play, and Indoor Play.

I take spoken about the dangers involved now let'due south talk nigh the fun y'all and your child tin have. Target shooting is where nosotros started, with a spring pistol from BassPro Shop. I side by side purchased an AEG considering I could do target shooting and play on an airsoft field with it (I thought), then a shotgun and finally a sniper rifle. The most fun per dollar has always been using my Double Eagle shotgun and I would highly recommend whatever shotgun that has an adjustable hopup. For authentic shooting and learning how to utilize all the shooting techniques of a real gun the sniper burglarize has been the near fun.

Having small skirmishes in the lawn is also fun and good preparation for going to an organized outdoor airsoft field. These fields may exist a property owned by the person putting on the game day, or country rented from the county, or state, or a piece of land where the owner allows organized play. This type of play will usually exist based on simulated war machine type missions.

Indoor fields allow younger players to play in a more paintball similar fashion. Games commonly terminal 5 to 10 minutes. Although dressing with layers of article of clothing would exist recommended, since minimum appointment distances are shorter than those in outdoor play.

seven. Know Your Laws.

Before purchasing an airsoft gun you also demand to find out what the laws are in your city, your land, and for those exterior the US, your country. For instance, in Massachusetts it is illegal for anyone except the child'due south parent to give a kid an airsoft gun: grandparents, aunts, or uncles volition go to jail if they buy one and requite information technology to a child. In many cities/towns it is illegal to belch ANY BB gun even airsoft guns, and so target shooting in the backyard is illegal. And some states do not let an airsoft gun to leave the shop except in a gun case.

Questions & Answers

Question: how erstwhile do you think your kid should be to own an airsoft gun?

Respond: Totally depends on maturity. They have to be able to grasp this is a toy that can hurt someone and have respect for that.

Question: What method should I apply to secure an airsoft gun? I'm in California.

Reply: You tin can apply a gun trigger lock.

Question: Will airsoft pellets damage siding on a firm?

Answer: Perchance

Question: How do the biodegradable Bulletin board system affect the environment? Practice animals eat them?

Answer: That is the source of not bad debate. The biodegradable BBS - one-half of the BB has to break down into dust in half dozen months. Where I played in Georgia places with loftier concentrations of Bbs would be muddier because they are pea-size gravel and allowed h2o to go into the earth more easily.

Question: What are the laws in South Carolina for airguns?

Respond: SC last fourth dimension I lived there was 1 of the least regulated states.

Question: What near laws in Oklahoma?

Respond: I do not know. You volition accept to do a search similar Oklahoma airsoft laws or pellet gun laws.

Sam on January 30, 2019:

but I encounter this as related though. Don't you think so, it all about airsoft.

Hello on December 24, 2018:

HEY Chris don't talk like that on and airsoft page it isnt even realated to this topic

Chris on Oct 01, 2017:

I almost wish that we lived in a country that banned guns so that we could run effectually our neighborhood playing Airsoft without worrying nigh a bad cop shooting usa, or, some lunatic with a concealed deport permit shooting the states imagining that he'll be some kind of "hero" for shooting one of us considering "he had a gun".

We did play "Cops and Robbers" with Airsoft guns in our dorsum yards a few times and it was GREAT fun, we all LOVED it, simply, I'chiliad agape it's just too dangerous, that somebody might shoot my kid. So although I really want my kids to play outside like that, go some practise, have a ton of fun, and get abroad from the jail cell phones and video games for a while, it might just not be worth the risk :(

I hope anytime that will change, and lodge volition finish accepting constabulary officers murdering innocent people because they mistakenly "thought they were a threat" or were "scared" - one should merely non be a cop, not be allowed to exist a cop, if they tin can't cease themselves from shooting people who are non actually aiming a gun at someone or if they tin't be patient enough (and keep their altitude) to figure out that a child has only a toy gun or airgun instead of behaaving like a trigger happy psycho and murdering the kid inside seconds of arriving at the scene (speaking almost the poor boy who was murdered by a bad cop in Cleavland Ohio).

Tristan on July 19, 2017:

Hey guys I'thousand an Airsoft technician out of AZ, I'm here to add a few things to this intro to airsoft and clear up some confusion caused by the comment section. Get-go the confusion, I've seen multiple people say mesh masks's are bad for Airsoft, while this is truthful for eye protection, this is not truthful for face protection, yes in that location is still a run a risk at point blank that a bb could shatter through, while bad for the optics, the velocity of the BB fragments later entering the mask would exist and then depression that a mere scratch would be the worst thing that I've always seen come of information technology (personal experience), now on some things that you may still be wondering if you lot program on letting your kiddo come up and sling Bbs with the rest of us. Kickoff is that every field has their own set of reasonable limits, for example the indoor field I work at has a not provisional fps limit of 350 and you MUST employ house Bbs (special colored field Bulletin board system purchased at the front), the reason for this is to prevent people from bringing .32's or fifty-fifty higher in a chrono bank check when they should be using .20's this would result in some 1 with a High powered Airsoft passing a chrono at 350 fps merely having the kinetic energy (resulting in hurting) of a bb flying at 450+. Second, is that some modifications to your Airsoft "weapon" could exist illegal depending on where yous live and then be sure to check land laws, i cracking example of this is adding a more realistic looking flash hider or an Airsoft suppressor (mock or functional) ; if your here in the US then I'm certain your very familiar with the orangish wink hiders and barrel tips that come on every Airsoft gun in stores, it is a federal police force that these guns have these orange flash hiders and tips upwards to the signal of auction, once the transfer has been fabricated it is upwardly to state law and your own discretion to determine if yous want to remove the wink hider or non, here in AZ it is no where near illegal to remove an orangish tip compared to a place similar California where the gun must have the orange tip during transportation and must have a piece of colored tape around the grip, trigger guard, and magazine. Be sure to check your land laws earlier modifying your Airsoft "weapon". At present if you lot ever want to know about the technical specs of Airsoft guns, need guidance or assist modifying your "weapon" (internally or externally) or just take more than full general questions about the sport/ hobby it's cocky, you can head to your local Airsoft field and ask the technician and other staff there or you can contact me at tristan mares on Facebook (the motion-picture show is of me in a helmet it'southward hard to miss lmao) or @twistairsoft on instagram, yous guys have a great day

Tristan on July 19, 2017:

Hi, I want to cover a few things that the author may take forgot to mention and clear upwardly any mischief that the comments may have stirred up, in an airsoft technician out of AZ, and have worked at multiple fields with my current job residing at our priemier local indoor field, first of all yep it is possible for a bb to bounce dorsum at sixty feet, in that location are so many factors that come into how a bb ricochets that it's near incommunicable to tell if i won't. at present, the author did a great job at explaining and actually created the nicest into to Airsoft I've seen yet, simply everyone forgets something and then here'south the minor details that he may take forgotten

Dylan on July 12, 2017:

I accept a glock 18, information technology'due south an amazing gun considering I got it for £15 pounds, but information technology's not the smallest or easiest to handle. What pistol should I aim for at present?

Maurice Dudeley on February 07, 2017:

Similar your point of view!

Definitely, parents should really aware of and should lookout over their kids when playing airsoft.

http://deadcenterairsoft.com/best-airsoft-gun/

larryg2011 (author) from Portland, OR on February 02, 2017:

Did the police force arrest him? Schools are gun costless zones even airsoft guns.

Volition on January 31, 2017:

I'm 11 and hoping to convince my mom to let me become an air soft gun. What is a good, cheap, starter gun, like a pistol, etc. Thanks for the amazing insight! ;)

RavioliAssassin on January 25, 2017:

What would I where if I have a 300fps SCAR what should my friends and I where

Ryan on January 21, 2017:

Eddie that is absolutely wrong... Wire mesh in my opinion is virtually as prophylactic as a full mask.... And any bb would never be able to explode and get into your eye unless you weren't wearing goggles or safety glasses.... Shame on you lot if yous weren't!

jesmond on Jan xi, 2017:

a kid had one at my school and shot some1

RealAuzzie on December 22, 2016:

Not a very informative article. Might I suggest telling u.s. some of the safety concerns of airsoft. Or possibly, tell us a little nearly the history. Like, which is older? Airsoft or paintball?

Haha, just kidding mate. Keep upwards the bang-up work, information technology is very fun to read.

larryg2011 (author) from Portland, OR on December 09, 2016:

I am distressing you feel that manner. How many outings did you lot become from your AEG before it bankrupt? What was your cost per outing? A lot more than than the $25 to $30 that a shotgun costs, so my point is if the shotgun merely lasts one outing information technology is still cheaper than your AEG, and the user can make up one's mind if he or she wants to upgrade to an AEG.

Pg on Dec 02, 2016:

Not to exist mean or anything but double eagle Is kind of a sucky brand for airsoft

bgigstead on April 08, 2016:

Cracking Article. I accept been playing with my son for the past 2 ane/ii years.

Louis on April 03, 2016:

What are the rules for air soft guns in the UK,Godalming???

Yay 2.0 on Apr 01, 2016:

In Ohio there are a number of fields blooming! Fallen Warriors is 1. Located in Chillicothe. Their is War Den Airsoft nearly Cincinnati. And many more than. I personally prefer fallen warriors. Airsoft Ohio is a great website for events and news in Ohio!!

gabrielle on February 17, 2016:

we alive in the hastens and my son is 10 and he has been bugging me for a twelvemonth what age should he go a airlift be he said he would become a pink m4

kevin on Jan fourteen, 2016:

just play rubber and just have fun

Yay on August 01, 2015:

Any good fields in Ohio

yolomickswag on April 16, 2015:

i don't want 1 to shoot but to play with

Grayson on March 14, 2015:

I am xvi i have been playing airsoft for 3 to iv years at present i vest to and help manage a small team called woodland rebels airsoft. Overall this article does have useful info but first whenever looking for your kickoff gun call up about what you will be doing if its backyard play some .12 gram bbs will exist perfect also equally a depression powered cheap double eagle or crossman springer or aeg if playing at a field you may want something a little stronger considering if you use those guns y'all will hit cipher for the younger ages x and under i would suggest a 1000&grand combat machine and for it buy .xx gram bbs likewise as a 9.6 volt bombardment for ages above that id go with something a fleck ameliorate withal a fiddling more than expensive a we katana works nicely which you would utilise the aforementioned battery and a.23 or .25 gram bb of form you need face protection of whatever sort some fields require full confront protection some do not it is smart to buy a smart charger for your battery. For safety if the player is wearing goggles you should not worry near centre damage most players within a sure range even without a safety rule will not shoot instead warn you that yous are out and for yous to go back to your spawn (why waste ammo) if yous get to a field more times than non you volition return with a few whelps but you should not worry also much merely keep in mind to be courtious and call your hits also BE RESPONSIBLE WITH YOUR AIRSOFT GUN don't walk around on the street with it in hand reccomended is a rifle purse only well-nigh of all have fun and be rubber

John Doe on December 26, 2014:

I am 23 year quondam airsofter, at first this sport seemed silly to me upwards til a few years ago when i started getting interested with the ammo shortages irresolute my shooting habits. Since the spark of my involvement I found myself at a CQB field and decided to look into information technology and ask questions then came washed to trying it. At first I was there just to waste matter fourth dimension but after it really changed my view and I'm looking forward to getting more than active in the sport. I started out with a Nosotros Heavy Weight CQB Main 1911 (from Evike.com) with a pair of goggles that I liked and did research on (Smith Optics, if y'all were wondering) and the knowledge that its a good idea to wear a long sleeve shirt with pants ( of grade). Starting out, I knew I didn't want to go cheap b/c of my fondness of the realistic weight of the gear tickling my obsession with existent steel firearms this sport has taken me by a landslide. A tip for the younger and newer players is to call your hits b/c zero is more irritating to a regular player than someone who don't take or call their hits (More fun and less arguing with someone else or a referee.

Charlie Leonidas on December 06, 2014:

In the case of California, yous're right.. the discharge of airsoft guns is illegal, but only PUBLICLY. Nowhere does it say that discharge in private property is banned. Only if you do not let the public ( your neighbors for example) get offended, or experience unsafe. Check with your neighbors and local laws. Just other than that, yous should be fine

Craig on October 21, 2014:

This was a good article. I recently went to an indoor CQB loonshit with my 11 year old son. He had been bugging me for a while, and information technology sounded like fun. We rented gear, played several rounds, and I think I had every bit much fun equally he did! While at that place is some inherent risk, the facility was very safety cautious. They practise a full safety briefing followed by a facility walkthrough, and while they don't have a prepare historic period limit, they were very engaged during the walkthrough and asked my son very specific questions to see if he was paying attention.

Parents with kids who express interest in airsoft, my advice would be to take the time to educate both yourself and your child. Airsoft guns are not toys, and should not be treated as such, but they also are not something to fear. If your child has the maturity to learn the proper safety, it tin can be a very fun and rewarding activity.

larryg2011 (author) from Portland, OR on September 29, 2014:

In Massachusetts information technology is illegal for anyone except your parent to give a child an airsoft gun.

Kevin on September 25, 2014:

Is information technology ture that your uncle and etc tin get to jail

Nate on August thirteen, 2014:

I'thou 12 I've been playing with airsoft since I was 3 actually all you lot need are glasses and my outset was a stinger p3 xi at Walmart or anywhere really for virtually $14

larryg2011 (writer) from Portland, OR on August 05, 2014:

Cheers for the clarifications.

Matt on August 04, 2014:

By the style Existent Steel guns ARE LEGAL in England, providing yous have enough infinite to safely shoot abroad from houses and civilians, and that you have a checked gun locker, you will get your license for up to .22 Semi-Automatics, any caliber over this must be single or commodities activeness, shotguns require a separate let and all handguns excluding revolvers are banned except for on a few of the UK's surrounding isles.

larryg2011 (author) from Portland, OR on July 23, 2014:

Yes, glasses will fit nether masks.

cool on July 23, 2014:

Wait I accept glasses will they fit nether masks?

Scott on July 18, 2014:

Disagree with the 60' bounce back and laugh if you want, but his betoken was audio.

BB's bounciness. Protect everyone'south optics.

Geoff on June 15, 2014:

^not necessarily. It enquire depends on how much you lot're willing to spend, and your idea of fun. Just practice your enquiry earlier every unmarried purchase, because in that location'south chances you could of bought something better for your money.

Colin on June thirteen, 2014:

Well equally an extreme airsoft histrion I can safely say that this person (in some places) has no idea what their talking about. It'due south funny really. Too at that place is NO style that they could take shot a lath at 60 anxiety and still have been hit by it. Besides double Eagle is terrible, and shotguns are terrible become an echo one Xcr-c, or a G&G combat machine mk18. Equally a starter weapom

Brony on June 03, 2014:

Ethan, unlike guns have dissimilar accurateness, fps, and many things can exist adamant past the size of the bullet. Information technology is possible for a bullet to bounce off a wood lath and back at you lot. It has happened to me earlier.due east.

Anyway, good commodity/mail.

colin on April 22, 2014:

this is a great way to acquire the concepts of an air soft gun.

Mike on January 05, 2014:

I concord with ethan how is that possible

ethan on December 10, 2013:

I must disagree with the "wood board bounces back bbs at 60ft", I have an Ashbury airsoft sniper that does 530 fps and never in one case accept I been hit even at 40ft.

Eddie on February 16, 2013:

Interesting. Whatever you exercise, do not buy mesh face up masks. If it is shot with an airsoft gun over 400 FPS, it will shatter and get in your optics.

Trisha on Jan 15, 2012:

Cheers for your article. I found my 6 yr old playing with the 10 yr erstwhile neighbour kids and had no idea what airsoft was. While I am not however totally convinced this is a good idea at his age, I'm non as put off equally I first was. We volition be ownership some safety goggles.